Freehold to reveal results of NJDOT funded bike/ped study

Around this time last year my colleague here at WalkBikeJersey, John Boyle of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia was rightly incensed about a highly restrictive bicycle parking policy in Freehold Borough and posted a stinging criticism of that policy here on our blog. Well it was my understanding that either from the reading about it here on WalkBikeJersey or by some means of direct communication John got a conversation started about bicycle issues with the borough council.

Now comes word (via a friend who is a member of the Central Jersey Bike Club) that Freehold Borough is about to release a bicycle and pedestrian plan funded by a grant from NJDOT. It shouldn't be forgotten that Freehold is home to the most amazing Metz Bicycle Museum, a true gem of cycling history that literally has international importance.

Below you will find the announcement from Freehold Borough Councilman John Newman about the unveiling of the plan at an upcoming council meeting. WalkBikeJersey will be there to give you a report on the results. I hope the report is as good as some of the others WalkBikeJersey has reviewed lately (1,2) and that bicyclists come out and show support for the project.

The announcement reads:

Hi, my name is John Newman, Councilman in Freehold Borough.

Freehold will be unveiling a study from the NJ DOT on bike and pedestrian safety, etc.; part of the study is making the borough bike friendly and linking the borough to its downtown and to outside the borough, including linking the Henry Hudson Trail to the downtown.

However, the mayor and the rest of council need to be shown that their is support for a bike-friendly Freehold Borough, and that there are benefits for the residents and the businesses. Believe it or not, there is some resistance to a bike-friendly town.

I would very much appreciate it if you could inform your members of the meeting where this plan will be unveiled and ask them to attend and show their support as well as provide comments for improvements.

The meeting is at Freehold Borough Hall, West Main Street, from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, December 20 for comments, and a presentation will be made to the mayor and council at the regular meeting at 7:00 p.m.

Please lend your hand to making Freehold Borough bike-friendly for all.

Thanks,

John F. Newman, Freehold Borough